IN CONVERSATION WITH
HARRY COLLETT

interview by JANA LETONJA

British actor Harry Collett is currently starring in HBO’s smash hit ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of the Dragon’, which premiered its second season on 16th June. The series has already also been renewed for a third season.

Harry, we can currently watch you in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’. Tell us what excites you the most about being part of this successful and Golden Globe winning series.

For me, the most exciting part about playing Jace is just the amount of freedom I have with character. When people read the books, they have an idea of what Jace is going to be like and the fact that I get to decide what he’s like is what really excites me. It’s also scary and there’s a bit of pressure at the same time and hoping that it is received well. It’s also a dream come true and I’m so lucky to be in a series like this. The amount of impact this show has on people is insane, and it’s so beautiful to see.

Have you been a fan of the prequel, one of the most popular series ever, ‘Game of Thrones’?

Of course I heard about the original, everyone has. I’ve always heard about how good it was, but when I auditioned and got the role I was still too young to watch it. My friends are super fans of the show,and they always take the mick out of me for not watching it. I am still yet to watch the series, but I definitely will in the future.

jacket, suit and shirt TIGER OF SWEDEN
tie CHARVET

In the series, you portray Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, son of Queen ‘Rhaenyra Targaryen. What do you love the most about portraying this character, and how has he developed through both seasons so far?

Season 1 Jace is so different to season 2 Jace. And it was definitely deliberate. I wanted the viewers to see the maturity change in Jace and how his little brother’s death has changed him. As much as the show is a fantasy, I wanted Jace’s emotional journey to feel very real on screen. I wanted people to relate to Jace in that aspect. I love that Jace has this drive to do something in the war and is determined to protect his mother’s claim and win her the throne, which would of course benefit his future as well. Of course we have had some physical changes as well, like the hair, which really helped me with the ark in Jace’s personality. As much as there is a war going on, Jace is fighting his own emotional battle, alone. He also will always leave space in a room, which I personally believe he does to leave room for his little brother in his head. Jace is young and he has a lot of responsibilities for just a 16-year old.

What can the fans expect from the remaining episodes in the second season? What can you tease about it?

This role is huge and I can’t complain. It’s sort of what I have been waiting for my whole life to play. Previously I was kind of stuck playing roles that are just very close to myself because of my age, however Jace is far from that. This is also the job I have done with the biggest fan base. They have all been so supportive of me and so invested and it’s so nice to see.

Would you say this role and this series has had the biggest impact on your career so far, and why so?

I started acting when I was 6, which in my opinion is extremely young. However weirdly, it all just sort of worked and I knew from that moment on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Obviously growing up as an actor, you have to miss out on some things, which as a child bothered me, but now I realise it’s all worth it. And my parents have always been so supportive. I’ve always wanted to strive and push myself further.

You started your career as a child actor in West End stage productions. What was the most exciting thing about acting to you back then, and what excites you the most about acting creatively today?

Most of the time when you’re younger, you are quite limited to the roles you can play, but today I have more creative licence and have had the opportunity to play a number of different roles, which is so refreshing. Creatively that’s what I want to do, make each character different.

How does performing on stage and in front of the camera differ for you? Does one maybe excite you more than the other?

Good question. They are both very different feelings. Of course I love seeing the aftermath of what happens on screen. Seeing the fans’ reactions and the visual effects, it’s the most exciting thing. You get multiple goes at takes, which is quite nice. On stage of course, you have to get it right, which makes theatre so exciting. If I could bottle up that adrenaline and feeling you get when you are performing and finish a show, it would be worth millions. That live feeling you get is unexplainable. It’s all very real.

Looking forward, what are your biggest career goals?

I always say this, but I want to be at the end of my life and know I have done as many different genres as I could and played many different and diverse characters. I never want to be tied down to one role my entire life.

Tell us more about your hobbies and passions in your personal life.

I love lots of different creative things. Even outside of acting, it all comes from the same part of the brain. For example, I love making house music and DJing in my spare time. It’s just a cool little side hobby I have. Apart from that, I do genuinely wish I am constantly acting, but I love spending time with my family as we are all really close too.

What is coming up next for you, besides the new season of ‘House of the Dragon’?

We shall see.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent HARRY COLLETT
photography LEE MALONE
styling MARK ANTHONY BRADLEY
grooming TYLER JOHNSTON at ONE REPRESENTS
editor-in-chief TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA